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How to Use Rosemary Oil for Hair: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
The easiest way to use Rosemary Oil is as a pre-shampoo treatment. Massage one to two pipettes into your scalp, work a little through your hair, leave it for two to three hours, then wash it out with a gentle shampoo. Do that around three times a week, and stay consistent. That is the whole method in a sentence. Below is the full step-by-step, an overnight option, exactly how much to use, and how long to leave it on.
A quick word before we start. Rosemary Oil is not complicated, and there is no single “right” way to use it. These are the methods we recommend, but it is a clean, gentle oil, so feel free to adjust them to suit you.
The short version
- Method: pre-shampoo scalp treatment, or overnight
- How much: 1 to 2 pipettes for the scalp, 1 to 2 more for the lengths
- Massage: up to 5 minutes into the scalp
- Leave on: 2 to 3 hours (pre-shampoo) or overnight
- Wash out: with a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo (like our Rosemary Hair Strengthening Shampoo)
- How often: 3 times a week (pre-shampoo) or twice a week (overnight)
- Patience: think in months, not days (more on that below)
What you’ll need
- Your Rosemary Oil (our Original Rosemary Oil is pre-blended and comes with a pipette for easy application)
- A gentle, sulphate-free shampoo (like our Rosemary Hair Strengthening Shampoo)
- A towel, and optionally a silk bonnet or cap for the overnight method
- Ten minutes, and a bit of consistency
Method 1: The pre-shampoo treatment (our recommended method)
This is the method we suggest for most people. You apply the oil before you wash your hair, let it sit, then shampoo it out.
- Apply to your scalp. Using the pipette, apply 1 to 2 pipettes of Rosemary Oil directly to your scalp, focusing on any areas where your hair looks/feels thinner.
- Massage for up to 5 minutes. Use your fingertips to work the oil in gently. This part matters, as a good scalp massage feels lovely and helps the oil spread evenly.
- Coat your hair. Put another 1 to 2 pipettes into the palm of your hand and gently work it through your hair, from root to tip.
- Leave it in for 2 to 3 hours. The longer you can leave it, generally the better. But don’t apply and leave it in for longer than around 12 hours as we want to leave the scalp clean and allow it some breathing space. You can most definitely pop your hair up and get on with your day.
- Wash it out. Rinse thoroughly with a gentle shampoo (a sulphate-free one like our Rosemary Hair Strengthening Shampoo is great). Avoid very hot water, which can leave the scalp dry.
How often: 3 times a week works well as a pre-shampoo routine.
Method 2: Overnight repair
If you would rather leave the oil to work while you sleep, this is a lovely alternative.
- Apply and massage 1 to 2 pipettes into your scalp, the same as above, for up to 5 minutes.
- Coat the lengths generously with another 1 to 2 pipettes, making sure all your hair is covered.
- Wrap your hair in a silk bonnet or cap to protect your pillow and keep the oil where you want it.
- Leave it overnight, then wash out in the morning with a sulphate-free shampoo.
How often: twice a week is plenty for the overnight method.
How much, how long, how often (quick reference)
| Pre-shampoo | Overnight | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount | 1-2 pipettes to scalp, 1-2 through hair | Same |
| Massage | Up to 5 minutes | Up to 5 minutes |
| Leave on | 2-3 hours (longer is better) | Overnight |
| Wash out | Sulphate-free shampoo | Sulphate-free shampoo, next morning |
| How often | 3 times a week | Twice a week |
A few tips to get the most from it
- Go for the scalp, not just the lengths. Rosemary Oil supports a healthy scalp, and a healthy scalp is where good-looking hair starts.
- Do not skip the massage. A few minutes of a gentle massage feels relaxing and helps you apply the oil evenly. Some people like to use a scalp massager for this.
- Use a gentle shampoo. Harsh, sulphate-heavy shampoos can undo your good work. A pH-neutral or sulphate-free shampoo is kinder to your scalp.
- Be consistent. This is the single biggest factor. A little, often, beats a lot, occasionally.
- A little goes a long way. You want your scalp and hair lightly coated, not dripping. If your hair feels greasy after washing, use a touch less next time, or leave it on for slightly less time.
How long until you see results?
Honestly, this takes patience. Most people notice their hair feels softer and more manageable within the first few weeks, less shedding often comes over the following couple of months, and finer new hairs tend to show around the four to six month mark. We say it so much but consistency really is everything. If you want the full picture of what the research actually says, we covered it here in our article ‘Does rosemary oil really work for hair growth?’.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving up too soon. Hair grows slowly, so judge it over months, not days or weeks.
- Using too much. More oil is not better, and it just makes it harder to wash out.
- Only oiling the lengths. The scalp is the priority.
- Washing with very hot water or a harsh shampoo, which can dry out the scalp.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you use Rosemary Oil?
For a pre-shampoo routine, around three times a week works well. If you prefer the overnight method, twice a week is plenty. Consistency over several months matters more than doing it every single day.
Do you put Rosemary Oil on wet or dry hair?
Dry hair, before you shampoo. Apply it to your scalp and lengths, leave it to work, then wash it out.
Do you have to wash Rosemary Oil out?
Yes, it’s always best to wash an oil out after it’s had time to do its job. Leaving an oil in can cause it to trap dirt and debris which leads to a poorer scalp condition, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid. The only exception to this is for leave-in oils/serums where the product has been specifically developed to be applied and left in.
Can you leave Rosemary Oil in overnight?
Yes. Massage it in, coat your hair, wrap it in a silk cap to protect your pillow, and wash it out in the morning. Twice a week works well this way.
How long should you leave Rosemary Oil in your hair?
Two to three hours for a pre-shampoo treatment (longer is generally better), or overnight if you are using the overnight method.
Written by Asif & Faz, founders of The Rosemary Company. We started the brand after Faz’s own experience with post-partum hair loss left her frustrated with the over-hyped, chemical-filled products on the shelves, so we made the clean, honest product we wished we’d had.
